Lieberman's possible independent run receives mixed reaction

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, July 4, 2006

HARTFORD (AP) - Some voters approached U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman as he marched Tuesday in Willimantic's annual July 4th Boom Box Parade, asking where they could sign a petition letting him run as an independent candidate in November.

But a few others heckled the three-term senator from the sidelines, calling him a traitor to the
Democratic Party
.

The popular parade, a traditional campaign stop for statewide candidates, came one day after Lieberman announced he will collect signatures to potentially run as an unaffiliated candidate - or petitioning Democrat, as he describes it - in November should he lose the Aug. 8 primary.

Lieberman acknowledged the mixed response, saying his opponent, Greenwich businessman
Ned Lamont
, has gained a lot of support in eastern Connecticut.

"This is all about democracy, which is what we're here to celebrate," Lieberman said.

Lieberman said he was "surprised and thrilled" that people asked where they can sign a petition. His campaign has yet to request a copy of a petition from the Secretary of the State's Office, however.

Lieberman said his campaign officials will decide when to begin collecting the 7,500 signatures needed to get on the ballot. The campaign is trying to keep the petition drive operation separate from the primary efforts, Lieberman said.

Lieberman dismissed Lamont's accusations that he's trying to "game the system" by running as an independent should he lose the primary.

"I disagree. I have one goal, to win the primary," Lieberman said. "I want to reach out to all the voters. After 18 years of serving them, I want to give all the people a chance. I'm going to be there on Nov. 7 one way or the other."

But Lamont supporters reminded people that Lieberman is worried about his chances on Aug. 8, and has a backup plan to keep his job.

One parade float, organized by Lamont supporters who write Web logs, or blogs, had a sign calling Lieberman a "RAT," a Republican Apologist and Turncoat.

The float also boasted two papier-mFachDe replica heads of Lieberman and President Bush kissing. It mocked how the president hugged Lieberman and appeared to have kissed his right cheek after the February 2005 State of the Union address.

Lamont walked with his family and supporters along with an inflatable Statue of Liberty from the
National Organization for Women
. The statue wore a Lamont for Senate T-shirt.

"We had the biggest group in the parade ... The response was just phenomenal," said Lamont's campaign manager,
Tom Swan
. "We were having people run up to shake Ned's hand. They were grabbing the bumper stickers as fast as we could hand them out."

Kerri Smith
of West Hartford, who marched in the parade, said she doesn't have a problem with Lieberman petitioning his way onto the ballot.

But
Dennis Thorton
of Willimantic said he's frustrated with Lieberman and other politicians this election year.

"He's worried. Yes, he's right to be worried. He's been uncompromising on the issue of Iraq," Thorton said. "I'm expecting a big (voter) turnout since our representatives don't listen to us anymore."

Darryl McMiller
, an assistant professor of political science at the
University of Hartford
, said one of the reasons Lieberman is considering petitioning his way onto the November ballot is to sap the enthusiasm for Lamont's campaign.